Meknès is the 3rd Imperial city of Morocco. The Berber tribe of the Meknassis (hence the name Meknès) first settled here in the 10th century A.D.
Here lie the gates of of Bab el-Mansour, the grandest of all imperial Moroccan gateways.
You can't walk through the bab itslef, which is opened only on grand occasions, but instead have to make do with a side gate to the left.
The side of Place el-Hedim, the centre square in the old medina.
We spent our second morning wandering the streets and souqs (markets) of Meknès
The medina is surrounded by ancient city walls and every so often you will find an opening to the ville nouvelle (new city).
The market in the main square was just setting up when we started exploring early in the morning. You could fresh squeezed orange juice for 4 dirham (30 pence or 60 cents).
donkeys and horses are still the prefered mode of transportation in the crowded market and maze-like alleys.
You can get everything in the markets: dried fruits (figs, dates, sultanas...), fresh fruit and vegetables, leather goods, metal goods, fresh spices by the cart load, spices piled high in bright colours, fabrics, and more.
The alleyways are what comprise much of the medinas.
They definately make great photographic pictures.
A city gate and a donkey on the right.
Here lie the gates of of Bab el-Mansour, the grandest of all imperial Moroccan gateways.
You can't walk through the bab itslef, which is opened only on grand occasions, but instead have to make do with a side gate to the left.
The side of Place el-Hedim, the centre square in the old medina.
We spent our second morning wandering the streets and souqs (markets) of Meknès
The medina is surrounded by ancient city walls and every so often you will find an opening to the ville nouvelle (new city).
The market in the main square was just setting up when we started exploring early in the morning. You could fresh squeezed orange juice for 4 dirham (30 pence or 60 cents).
donkeys and horses are still the prefered mode of transportation in the crowded market and maze-like alleys.
You can get everything in the markets: dried fruits (figs, dates, sultanas...), fresh fruit and vegetables, leather goods, metal goods, fresh spices by the cart load, spices piled high in bright colours, fabrics, and more.
The alleyways are what comprise much of the medinas.
They definately make great photographic pictures.
A city gate and a donkey on the right.
2 comments:
It's so beautiful. I've always wanted to visit Morocco.
You would love it...especially if you love India and belly dancing, which you do. It is a pretty inexpensive flight from the UK. So come and visit us first!
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